Obituary of Dennis Jay McDonald

Dennis Jay McDonald Dennis Jay McDonald, 71 passed away October 21, 2007 peacefully at his home in Lacey. He was born February 5, 1936 in Wenatchee, Washington, the son of Jay and Vivian (Heckman) McDonald. He spent his childhood in Sunnyside and summers in the Methow Valley. He was a graduate of Bellevue High School in 1954 and the University of Washington in 1964. Dennis began his career working as a draftsman for the Boeing Company where he met his wife Jane Cathy of 50 plus years. He returned to the University of Washington to study to be a teacher. He began teaching in 1965 at Chinook Junior High School and moved to Lacey. In his years at Chinook, he emerged as a community leader by starting the Lacey Parks Department and the Thurston County Striders. In 1970, he accepted a teaching position at North Thurston High School, where for many years he was a beloved teacher as well as the football and track coach. He started the Washington State Decathlon/ Pentathlon meets in 1972, which now bears his name. He was inducted into the Washington State Coaches Hall of Fame for his contributions to athletes statewide. Dennis supported his love of theater as a member and executive in the Abbey Players. He was a producer, director, writer as a well as a performer in many productions during the ‘80s and ‘90s. In addition to live theater, he enjoyed movies, fishing and travel, with recent trips to New York, China, Europe, South America and Africa. He is survived by his wife, Jane Cathy; children, Craig (Allison) McDonald, of Carmel, Indiana; Tori (Monte) Johnson, of Tumwater, Sean (Jody) McDonald, of Ridgefield, Washington; six grandchildren, Jacqueline, Katy, Caitlin, Amy, John and Hannah. The life celebration will be held on Monday, October 29, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Bible Fellowship, 2508 State Street in Olympia. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.